Campaign Finance Montana: “Record Penalties Levied in Dark Money Lawsuit” by John Adams for Montana Free Press Elections South Carolina: “High Court Reinstates S. Carolina Ballot Witness Requirement” by Jessica Gresko for Associated Press News Ethics National: “Public Records Requests […]
Campaign Finance
Montana: “Record Penalties Levied in Dark Money Lawsuit” by John Adams for Montana Free Press
Elections
South Carolina: “High Court Reinstates S. Carolina Ballot Witness Requirement” by Jessica Gresko for Associated Press News
Ethics
National: “Public Records Requests Fall Victim to the Coronavirus Pandemic” by Nate Jones for Washington Post
National: “In a New Ruling, Judge Says Census Count Must Continue Through October” by Tara Bahrampour (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “Sonny Perdue Fuels Ethics Scrutiny as Trump’s Rural Envoy” by Ryan McCrimmon for Politico
Illinois: “Berrios Son-in-Law Indicted in Bribery Scheme Involving Ex-State Rep. Luis Arroyo” by Jason Meisner for Chicago Tribune
New York: “Andrew Cuomo Holds Webinar with Firm That Promised His Book to Employees” by Jon Campbell for Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Rhode Island: “Speaker Mattiello Isn’t the One on Trial for Money Laundering Today. But His Reputation Could Be.” by Edward Fitzpatrick for Boston Globe
Redistricting
Virginia: “Virginia Democrats Face Choice Between Idealism and Revenge in Vote on Gerrymandering” by Robert McCartney for Washington Post
American Samoa Legislature - by NOAA
Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has called a special session of the Fono to convene on Monday, October 5, with the main agenda to revisit the fiscal year 2021 budget. The special session is set to last for up to 15 […]
Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has called a special session of the Fono to convene on Monday, October 5, with the main agenda to revisit the fiscal year 2021 budget.
The special session is set to last for up to 15 days.
Gov. Lolo would like the Fono to submit a budget compliant with established policies and procedures.
Connecticut State Capitol
On October 1, the Connecticut General Assembly adjourned their second special session of the year. During the special legislative session lawmakers passed House Bill 7005 concerning the processing of absentee ballots. The Legislature also passed bills reforming the state’s hemp […]
On October 1, the Connecticut General Assembly adjourned their second special session of the year.
During the special legislative session lawmakers passed House Bill 7005 concerning the processing of absentee ballots.
The Legislature also passed bills reforming the state’s hemp program, regulating the public utilities, and enhancements to state environmental law.
The bills were immediately released to the governor for his signature.
This does not affect lobbyist reporting.
Campaign Finance Ohio: “FirstEnergy, Energy Harbor Can Still Donate to Legislative Candidates During HB6 Repeal Debate, Judge Rules” by Jeremy Pelzer for Cleveland Plain Dealer Elections National: “Trump’s Illness Halts Campaign Just When It Needs an October Boost” by Philip […]
Campaign Finance
Ohio: “FirstEnergy, Energy Harbor Can Still Donate to Legislative Candidates During HB6 Repeal Debate, Judge Rules” by Jeremy Pelzer for Cleveland Plain Dealer
Elections
National: “Trump’s Illness Halts Campaign Just When It Needs an October Boost” by Philip Rucker, Josh Dawsey, and Annie Linskey (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “Trump’s Call for Poll-Watching Volunteers Sparks Fear of Chaos and Violence on Election Day” by Amy Gardner, Joshua Partlow, Isaac Stanley-Becker, and Josh Dawsey (Washington Post) for MSN
Alaska: “An Initiative Proposes to Overhaul Alaska’s Elections. But Not Everyone Thinks They’re Broken.” by Nat Herz (Alaska Public Media) for Anchorage Daily News
Michigan: “Michigan AG Dana Nessel Files Charges Against GOP Operatives Over Robocalls” by Craig Mauger for Detroit News
Texas: “Gov. Greg Abbott Limits Counties to One Absentee Ballot Drop-Off Location, Bolstering GOP Efforts to Restrict Voting” by Emma Platoff for Texas Tribune
Ethics
National: “Several Lawmakers Disclose Opaque Financial Records” by Chris Marquette for Roll Call
National: “Biden Transition Elevates Former Facebook Exec as Ethics Arbiter” by Alex Thompson and Theodoric Meyer for Politico
California: “Was City of Industry Tricked into Hiring a Negotiator with a Major Conflict of Interest on Failed $20 Million Solar Project?” by Jason Henry for San Gabriel Valley News
Lobbying
Illinois: “Chicago Aldermen to Consider Rolling Back Part of City’s Elected Official Lobbying Ban” by John Byrne (Chicago Tribune) for MSN
Albany Skyline - by Antony-22
On October 1, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) announced the final draft of Advisory Opinion 20-02, providing guidance to identify the permissibility of a gift to a third party at the direction of or on behalf of a […]
On October 1, the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) announced the final draft of Advisory Opinion 20-02, providing guidance to identify the permissibility of a gift to a third party at the direction of or on behalf of a public official.
Statutes and regulations presumptively prohibit a gift to a public official from an interested source or gifts to a third party solicited by a public official or an intermediary.
Advisory Opinion 20-02 allows the presumption of impermissibility to be overcome by taking into account specific situations including: the nature or purpose of the gift; nature of the donor’s pending business with the official; and prior history of gifts to the cause or third-party organization.
JCOPE will determine whether a gift violates the law or overcomes the presumption on a case-by-case basis.
Vermont Capitol Building
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on September 25. The Legislature normally adjourns in May but was extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers adjusted to the pandemic by holding remote online meetings. During the remote legislative session, lawmakers […]
The Vermont General Assembly adjourned sine die on September 25.
The Legislature normally adjourns in May but was extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lawmakers adjusted to the pandemic by holding remote online meetings.
During the remote legislative session, lawmakers were able to pass bills relating to the 2021 fiscal year budget, police reform, and a land use reform.
Campaign Finance Arizona: “Court Reopens Door to ‘Dark Money’ in Arizona Political Races” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star Rhode Island: “Judge Upholds R.I. Campaign Finance Law; Conservative Groups Appeal” by Patrick Anderson for Providence Journal […]
Campaign Finance
Arizona: “Court Reopens Door to ‘Dark Money’ in Arizona Political Races” by Howard Fischer (Capitol News Services) for Arizona Daily Star
Rhode Island: “Judge Upholds R.I. Campaign Finance Law; Conservative Groups Appeal” by Patrick Anderson for Providence Journal
Ethics
Alaska: “Alaska Mining Executive Resigns a Day After Being Caught on Tape Boasting of His Ties to GOP Politicians” by Juliet Eilperin for Washington Post
California: “Lobbyist Pleads Guilty in LA City Hall Bribery Case” by City News Service for MyNewsLA.com
Georgia: “Choudhary Sentenced to Jail for Bribing Atlanta Official to Win Airport Contract” by Everett Catts for Rome News-Tribune
Maryland: “HUD Inspectors Find Ben Carson’s Actions Didn’t Benefit Son in Baltimore Deals, but Had the ‘Appearance’ of Ethical Issues” by Meredith Cohen for Baltimore Sun
New York: “City Council Ethics Committee Moves to Expel Bronx Councilmember Andy King” by David Cruz for Gothamist
Lobbying
Europe: “Ethics Watchdog Seeks Stronger Powers to Police Rules Covering Public Officials” by Jack Horgan-Jones for Irish Times
National: “U.S. Chamber of Commerce Abruptly Ousts Top Political Consultant Scott Reed, Alleging Leaks” by Tom Hamburger for Washington Post
Illinois: “Former ComEd VP Pleads Guilty, Agrees to Cooperate with Feds in Bribery Case Orbiting House Speaker Michael Madigan” by Jason Meisner for Chicago Tribune
Campaign Finance Indiana: “Indiana Casino Executive Charged in Illegal Campaign Scheme” by John Davies for Associated Press News Elections National: “Trump Incessantly Interrupts and Insults Biden as They Spar in Acrimonious First Debate” by Anne Gearan, Philip Rucker, and Annie […]
Campaign Finance
Indiana: “Indiana Casino Executive Charged in Illegal Campaign Scheme” by John Davies for Associated Press News
Elections
National: “Trump Incessantly Interrupts and Insults Biden as They Spar in Acrimonious First Debate” by Anne Gearan, Philip Rucker, and Annie Linskey for Washington Post
National: “Courts View GOP Fraud Claims Skeptically as Democrats Score Key Legal Victories Over Mail Voting” by Elise Viebeck (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “Ransomware Attacks Take on New Urgency Ahead of Vote” by Nicole Perlroth and David Sanger (New York Times) for MSN
Florida: “Felon Voting: Forcing fees to be paid not an issue for some wealthy felons” by John Pacenti for Palm Beach Post
Ohio: “Ohio Republican Party Pulls Attack Ad After Realizing It Attacked the Wrong Person” by Andrew Tobias for Cleveland Plain Dealer
Ethics
National: “Trump’s Debts and Foreign Deals Pose Security Risks, Former Intelligence Officials Say” by Greg Miller and Yeganeh Torboti (Washington Post) for MSN
National: “Michael Flynn Judge Emphasizes He Is Not a ‘Rubber Stamp’ in Justice Dept. Bid to Drop Prosecution” by Spencer Hsu and Ann Marimow for Washington Post
Lobbying
Florida: “JEA Bidder Florida Power and Light Discussed Donating to Charities Led by City Council Members” by Christopher Hong for Florida Times Union
Massachusetts: “Former Massachusetts Senate President Stanley Rosenberg Returns to Beacon Hill as Lobbyist” by Matt Murphy (State House News Service) for MSN
Campaign Finance National: “Some Democrats Worry Millions Flowing from Super PACs Prioritize White Swing Voters Over Minorities” by Michelle Ye Hee Lee for Washington Post National: “Florida Republican Cooperating with Campaign Finance Probe” by Staff for Associated Press California: “California […]
Campaign Finance
National: “Some Democrats Worry Millions Flowing from Super PACs Prioritize White Swing Voters Over Minorities” by Michelle Ye Hee Lee for Washington Post
National: “Florida Republican Cooperating with Campaign Finance Probe” by Staff for Associated Press
California: “California NAACP President Aids Corporate Prop Campaigns – Collects $1.2 Million and Counting” by Laurel Rosenhall for CalMatters
Elections
Pennsylvania: “Pennsylvania Republicans Ask Supreme Court to Stop Voting Accommodations” by Robert Barnes for Washington Post
Wisconsin: “Appellate Court Halts Wisconsin Ballot-Counting Extension” by Todd Richmond for Associated Press News
Ethics
National: “Judges Propose Making Disclosure of Their Personal Details a Crime” by Josh Gerstein for Politico
Illinois: “Speaker Madigan And Several Former ComEd Lobbyists Decline to Appear Before House Committee” by Dave McKinney and Tony Arnold for WBEZ
New York: “Appeals Court Judges Skeptical of Trump Effort to Block Release of Financial Info” by Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney for Politico
Lobbying
National: “Political Groups Begin Dueling Over Barrett in a Costly Clash” by Kenneth Vogel, Maggie Haberman, and Jeremy Peters for New York Times
Campaign Finance Washington: “Freed Agrees to Civil Penalty to Resolve Campaign Finance, Reporting Violations” by Alexis Krell for Tacoma News Tribune Elections Missouri: “Voters See ‘Unfair’ Ballot Language on Cleaner Missouri in Two Counties” by Austin Huguelet for Springfield News-Leader […]
Campaign Finance
Washington: “Freed Agrees to Civil Penalty to Resolve Campaign Finance, Reporting Violations” by Alexis Krell for Tacoma News Tribune
Elections
Missouri: “Voters See ‘Unfair’ Ballot Language on Cleaner Missouri in Two Counties” by Austin Huguelet for Springfield News-Leader
Ethics
National: “Amy Coney Barrett, a Disciple of Justice Scalia, Is Poised to Push the Supreme Court Further Right” by Michael Kranish, Robert Barnes, Shawn Boburg, and Ann Marimow for Washington Post
National: “Long-Concealed Records Show Trump’s Chronic Losses and Years of Tax Avoidance” by Russ Buettner, Susanne Craig, and Mike McIntire for New York Times
Illinois: “3 Ethics Board Exits Later, Cook County Commissioners Unveil First Draft of Ethics Code Reforms” by Alice Yin for Chicago Tribune
Illinois: “Top Lightfoot Adviser on Intergovernmental Affairs to Marry Chicag Alderman, Raising Ethical Concerns from City Staff” by Gregory Pratt and John Byrne for Chicago Tribune
Tennessee: “Tennessee Registry of Election Finance Violated Open Meetings Act with Secret Vote” by Mariah Timms for The Tennessean
Lobbying
National: “Women Rise on K Street – Slowly” by Alex Gangitano for The Hill
Florida: “NextEra Energy’s Failed Attempt to Purchase JEA Highlights Web of Murky Spending, Lobbying” by Daniel Tait for Energy and Policy Institute
Connecticut State Capitol
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced a special session to convene on Tuesday, September 29. The General Assembly will consider legislation for several policy issues including: performance-based regulation of the state’s electricity, gas, and water companies; securing absentee ballots for the […]
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced a special session to convene on Tuesday, September 29.
The General Assembly will consider legislation for several policy issues including: performance-based regulation of the state’s electricity, gas, and water companies; securing absentee ballots for the general election; school construction projects; and opportunities for the state’s hemp program.
The Legislature will also consider four nominations announced by the governor in July to fill a vacancy in the state Supreme Court and three seats in the Appellate Court.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill moving non-presidential year primaries back to June. Senate Bill 970 will return California to the traditional midterm primary date. The bill becomes effective January 1, 2021.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill moving non-presidential year primaries back to June.
Senate Bill 970 will return California to the traditional midterm primary date.
The bill becomes effective January 1, 2021.
South Dakota Capitol Building
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announced she is calling a special legislative session on Monday, October 5, 2020. The main purpose of this session is to consider legislation related to the use of federal stimulus relief funds, including the $1.25 […]
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announced she is calling a special legislative session on Monday, October 5, 2020.
The main purpose of this session is to consider legislation related to the use of federal stimulus relief funds, including the $1.25 billion allocated to South Dakota in Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF).
Unless an extension is granted, South Dakota has until December 30, 2020 to spend all CRF dollars.
The administration has spent about $114 million of the $1.25 billion in federal funds allocated to the state.
Noem has mapped out a plan to spend the bulk of the money, including up to $400 million in small business grants.
However, some House members said lawmakers should be included in the decision.
Campaign Finance New Jersey: “Two NM Groups Pushed to Disclose Political Spending” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal Elections National: “How Republicans Are Trying to Use the Green Party to Their Advantage” by Maggie Haberman, Danny Hakim, and Nick Corasaniti […]
Campaign Finance
New Jersey: “Two NM Groups Pushed to Disclose Political Spending” by Dan Boyd for Albuquerque Journal
Elections
National: “How Republicans Are Trying to Use the Green Party to Their Advantage” by Maggie Haberman, Danny Hakim, and Nick Corasaniti for New York Times
National: “The Russian Trolls Have a Simpler Job Today. Quote Trump.” by David Sanger and Zolan Kanno-Youngs for New York Times
Florida: “Bloomberg Raises $16 Million to Help Florida Felons Pay Fines to Vote in November” by Stephanie Ruhle and Julia Jester for NBC News
Pennsylvania: “Alarm Grows Over ‘Naked Ballot’ Ruling in Pennsylvania” by Max Greenwood for The Hill
Ethics
National: “Pentagon Used Taxpayer Money Meant for Masks and Swabs to Make Jet Engine Parts and Body Armor” by Aaron Gregg and Yeganeh Torboti (Washington Post) for MSN
Maryland: “Baltimore Could End Contract with Pugh-Connected Financier After IG Details Failure to Disclose Donations to Her” by Talia Richman for Baltimore Sun
Virginia: “Virginia Legislator Who Tested Positive for Coronavirus Warned His Church, but House Colleagues Say They Weren’t Informed” by Laura Vozzella for Washington Post
Lobbying
Alaska: “In Secret Tapes, Mine Executives Detail Their Sway Over leaders from Juneau to the White House” by Juliet Eilperin (Washington Post) for MSN
